The emphasis in mythmaking is on performance, and this means that the words, while important, are only a part of the total work. The body of the performer, the tone of the voice, movements that are both subtle and broad, not only enhance and cradle the words of the story, they play decisive roles in establishing the message of the myth. In an art form that places paramount stress on the emotions, nonverbal aspects of performance are of enormous significance..... The body of the artist, movement that is a muted form of dance, the music of the voice, the exploiting of the tonal qualities of language, the drama of the face, and the shaping force of the hands. All of these assist in working the audience into that channel to the past.... There is a joining of ancient and contemporary images, largely due to the silent movements, a confined ballet unifying artist and audience.
--Harold Scheub |